TSA Report

This issue, TSAReport.com caught up the with MLS superstar Freddy Adu. Although Adu is only 19, he is a 5-year veteran in the world of soccer. The 5 foot 8 star talks about his personal life and growing up as a professional soccer player. Jarvis Green, Defensive end of the New England Patriots, expresses the importance of family and what inspired the Jarvis Green Foundation. Dave K. Far-El gives his views on the Stefan Marbury-New York Knicks public fiasco. Check it out!

FREDDY ADU: YOUNG AND PRO

Words by H.L.

"I was able to do something that [most] people haven’t gotten a chance to do in the past, and a lot of people will never get a chance to do, so I feel really blessed. " Freddy Adu, AS Monaco

The United States’ youngest soccer phenom, Freddy Adu, is all grown up. Although he’s still under the country’s legal drinking age, the Ghana native is clearly a grown man in his own right. Now playing professional soccer for over 5 years, Adu is currently playing in Europe for the French club AS Monaco. We recently caught up with the 19 year-old during his brief visit to the U.S. and he gave us a one-on-one about his personal life and maturing in a grown man’s profession.

TSAReport.com- Freddy, before we begin, soccer or football, which word do you prefer?

Freddy Adu- Football.

TSAReport.com- Why is that?

FA- Because it’s football. You use your feet, to kick the ball. I don’t even know why they call American Football, football in the first place because you throw the ball more than you kick it.

TSAReport.com- At the age of 14 you became the youngest American athlete in over 100 years to sign a major league pro contract in any team sport, and won the MLS Cup title that year. How do you feel about your accomplishment five years later?

FA- That was an incredible thing. I always wanted to be a professional athlete - professional soccer player - but I didn’t think it was going to happen at such a young age. It didn’t hit me at that time, but now when I sit down and think about it, I’m just like “Man, that was an amazing accomplishment.” I was able to do something that [most] people haven’t gotten a chance to do in the past, and a lot of people will never get a chance to do, so I feel really blessed.

TSAReport.com- When did you or your parents realize that you were ready to go pro? You have been a pro athlete since the age of 14, so how long could you have been possibly imagining becoming a pro athlete?

FA- Well, [Laughs] since I was eight or nine I started thinking I really want to be a professional because I love playing soccer so much so I wanted to go pro. Everything just happened so fast and I just felt ready at that time to go pro. My family supported me, and my friends, my teammates, everybody supported me; so I was like hey, I feel ready to do this and I’m a do it and everything worked out great.

TSAReport.com- So was it you or your coach that decided you would enter the draft at such a young age?

FA- I did! I definitely made all the decisions. Obviously I had the help of my family, but they supported whatever final decisions I made.

TSAReport.com- Which means you knew you were that good at the tender age of 14 to not only go pro but also be one of the top draft picks.

FA- Yes, I felt ready. At that age level, I was improving faster than the rest of the guys. I wanted to go pro, I loved the sport, and at that time my family didn’t have a lot of money so everything just worked out. It was just the right decision for so many reasons; for me personally and my family. I had full confidence in my decision and knew everything was going to turn out all right.

TSAReport.com- Where did you practice? Soccer isn’t as big in the Unites States as compared to Europe and other countries, so how was your competition? What would you say helped you reach that athletic point at such a young age?

FA- I was born in Ghana, West Africa and all everybody ever did was play soccer. Although I didn’t spend a lot of my life there but I sort of just grew up in that environment. When we moved to America, I would play by myself and with my younger brother. In elementary school I would play during recess. I was noticed by one of my classmates who felt I was good. He then told his dad and I ended up playing for his team. We trained twice a week, but I would always train on my own and try to imitate some of my heroes that I saw on T.V. growing up.

TSAReport.com- Would you say that playing professionally and being amongst your older teammates has caused you to mature quicker than the average 19 year old?

FA- Of Course. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who has told me I act like a 19 year old. Everybody usually says that I am mature for my age. I really take pride in that because you [sic] want to be a mature kid. You don’t want to be a kid forever, but you still have to enjoy your life. I am able to do that and balance it with being a pro athlete at the age of 19. Sometimes it’s difficult, sometimes I just want to let loose and do all the things that my friends are doing and just have fun, but I can’t. However, I have the best of both worlds. I get to be a pro athlete, get paid to play the sport that I love the most, and still get to hang out with my friends being a normal teenager. Maybe not all the time, but at times.

TSAReport.com- Did you have to do a great deal of adjusting the first time you played overseas?

FA- Yes, I had to do a lot of adjusting. When I moved overseas it was a little difficult, because I had to do everything that my mom or my family used to do for me, I had to do it by myself. It took me a month or two to get adjusted, but once I got adjusted everything was smooth sailing after. Now I feel like a full fledged professional; I am settled, life’s great and now all I do is concentrate on working hard and doing well with my team.

TSAReport.com- Where do you prefer to play and why?

FA- Europe is the ultimate destination for a soccer player from anywhere in the world. Europe is the Mecca of soccer. It’s like playing basketball, football or baseball in America. Soccer is the biggest sport in the world and Europe is where it’s at. When you make it to Europe that means you are doing something right. That has always been my dream and I finally got a chance to go to Europe, but my ultimate goal is to end up playing in England or Spain. Those are the two best leagues in the world in my opinion and that is where all the best players in the world play.

TSAReport.com- Which teams in England or Spain?

FA- I would love to play for a team like Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool in England. I would also love to play for Barcelona or Real Madrid in Spain.

TSAReport.com- Traveling back and fourth between Europe and the United States, does that put a strain on your family? Were you able to develop trustworthy friendships?

FA- No, not at all! My family comes and visits me whenever I need them to. I go home when we get time off, so it’s not bad at all. My friend is actually living with me in Europe. He graduated from college and kind of taking a year off helping me out with everything that I need. It’s great to have someone living with you that you are familiar with and that you grew up with. It makes the whole experience a lot more fun.

TSAReport.com- Do you ever feel as if you missed out on anything in particular as a teenager?

FA- No, because as I said earlier, I had the best of both worlds. I was able to hang out with my friends and be a professional athlete. The good thing is that I didn’t have to go to school and I ain’t complaining about that.

TSAReport.com- So how were you schooled?

FA- I graduated at 14 before I went pro. I had to do an accelerated program to get it done. I basically did four years of high school in two and a half years and was done three months before my 15th birthday.

TSAReport.com- Were you able to go to your prom?

FA- No I never been to a prom before, but it’s all right though.

TSAReport.com- Do you believe soccer can ever grow and become a phenomenon in America as it is in Europe?

FA- I think so, because America has the market to make any sport the number one sport and to attract some of the biggest names and the biggest athletes in the world to come play.

TSAReport.com- Which soccer player are you a fan of?

FA- My favorite soccer player in this generation is Zinedine Zidane, but my favorite soccer player of all time is Pele.

TSAReport.com- Do you enjoy watching or playing any other sport?

FA- I love playing golf and basketball on my spare time.

TSAReport.com- Is there a player in any other sport that you would like to meet?

FA- Golf, Tiger Woods Hands down. In basketball, I would like to meet Kobe and LeBron.

To the top

GOOD TASTE FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Wordsby H.L. I have 4 other siblings and growing up was tough, but my parents gave us everything and taught us how to survive." - Jarvis Green, New England Patriots
Jarvis Green recently invited many of his celebrity friends to his 2nd Annual Jarvis Green Foundation Wine Tasting Gala held at Johnson & Wales Inn in Maryland. It was a night filled with fun, music, great wine and private auctions. Although the Gala was unforgettable, the reason for the event wasn’t all fun and games. The event brought attention to a serious issue that effects many people in New Orleans - single mothers burdened by the 2005 Hurricane Katrina catastrophe. Relevant on and off the field, Defensive end Jarvis Green of the New England Patriots gets personal and talks about the importance of family and touches on the future of the NFL. TSAReport.com- Hello Jarvis, you recently hosted your 2nd annual Jarvis Green Foundation Wine Tasting Gala benefiting disadvantaged single working mothers in low-income areas. Why is helping these mothers in need so important to you? Jarvis Green- Helping these mothers in need is so important to me because growing up in my home and watching my mom work her self to death for the sake of her kids... And also I think the government doesn’t help those single mothers out there that have a career and are trying to do the right thing for their kids. TSAReport.com- Does single parenthood affect you personally (could be other relatives) and/or your native home of Thibodaux, La. greatly? JG- Being in a single parent home wasn’t something that I grew up with, personally. I saw it while I was dating my wife before we were married. [I saw] how tough it was for her, and how it was a one-person show, so yes it has affected me in a way. TSAReport.com- Were both parents in your life growing up? How would you say that has affected you in becoming the person you are today? JG- Both of my parents have been in my life since my junior year of high school. They truly molded me into who I am today. I have 4 other siblings and growing up was tough, but my parents gave us everything and taught us how to survive. I took that with me once I left the house. TSAReport.com- I know your children are young, but are any of them showing signs of interest in your career paths? If so, which ones and how so? JG- I can say when I started brainstorming and getting things together for my restaurant my son was always with me. I made sure to tell him to pay attention to everything that was going on. He always used to asked questions and put his 2 cents in and I liked that. He's only 10 but he will become that guy one day. TSAReport.com- Recently, Commissioner Goddell touched on the possibility of making the season longer by shortening the amount of pre-season games. What do you think about that overall? Can the average football's players body handle an extra game or two? JG- Well that could be a good thing! For us it would be the same because with training camp we still have 2-a-days and that’s like playing a game now. So it wouldn’t matter to me. The extra games won’t be a problem for the body. Two extra games and take two weeks from preseason. That probably would mean training camp could start earlier and we would have less time off in the off-season. TSAReport.com- How are you and your teammate’s spirits as the playoffs roll around? JG- Right now the team’s spirits are very positive. We know we still have a lot of work to do and we have to finish strong if we want to see the playoffs. TSAReport.com- Any out of the ordinary pre-game rituals that many people don't know about? JG- I don’t have any pre-game rituals that would be called crazy. I just relax and listen to my i-phone. TSAReport.com- Last, but not least, you have a successful foundation, restaurant, and football career, so what’s next or is long overdue for you? JG- Right now down the road I see myself searching for a new location for my restaurant so I can create the dream that I want. Franchise baby!!

To the top

TREATED LIKE A STEPH-CHILD

Words by Dave K. Far-El

In what is known as the world of the NY Knicks, something strange has happened. The Knicks, lead by Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D’Antoni, have handled the Stephon Marbury situation so shoddily that the usual-villain named “Starbury” has become somewhat of the anti-hero. It appears as if Donnie Walsh doesn’t have as much control over player personnel as we were led to believe. He stated once that he doesn’t like to tell his coach how to coach, but if a team has a former all-star playing out the last year of a contract from which he is owed $21.9 million, it seems as if telling the coach to play Marbury would have been the smart move. This is a Knicks team that is not headed to the playoffs any time soon, so the smart thing would have been to play him and work up his trade value. Apparently, Donnie and Mike had something different in mind in regards to how they were going to handle Starbury.

Donnie Walsh, after taking over for deposed GM/Coach Isiah Thomas, has claimed that all the players would have a clean slate. What happened in the past stays in the past. Starbury, for all intents and purposes, took that statement to heart and came to training camp this past summer 26 lbs. lighter and played great basketball during the preseason. Even upon finding out that he lost his starting point guard job to newly signed Chris Duhon, Steph was one of Duhon’s biggest supporters according to Duhon himself. All of that did not seem to matter because it appears as if Mike D’Antoni carried an old grudge from his days coaching Marbury in Pheonix. D’Antoni never seemed to be clear or straight with Starbury - although he did tell Stephon that the team was moving in another direction. Yet, when the team traded Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph, D’Antoni “offered” Starbury about 30-35 minutes of playing time. Starbury declined. He was then fined and suspended.

The Knicks punishing Marbury for not playing in games, especially the way the option was presented to him, is somewhat questionable. Imagine if your job told you they weren’t going to use you in their future plans and then because a few of your coworkers got sick, your boss tells you there are a few hours of overtime if you want it. You decline the offer and the next day you are told that you were being suspended for not working. Starbury now says he wouldn’t “trust D’Antoni to walk my dog.” So here we have it, the Knicks want a buyout for less than the contract’s value, and Starbury says he will not accept a penny less than the $21.9 million he is owed. I call this a stalemate. Especially since Starbury has since been banished from the team. The irony of all this is, the Knicks are actually playing an entertaining and, from time to time, winning style of basketball during all of this off the court controversy. Then again, with what the Knicks have been through the last few years of the Isiah Thomas regime, this is probably not a distraction to the players left at all. As for now, the N.Y. Knicks have a problem looking forward to 2010. The NBA world is watching how they handle the Stephon Marbury situation. So far so bad.

To the top

TSA BLURBS

I’LL SEE YOU IN COURT

The Plaxico Burress shooting has cast the spotlight on the Manhattan prosecutor’s office and how it enforces New York gun laws that often require severe punishment for anyone caught with an illegal weapon. District Attorney Robert Morgenthau says illegal guns are near the top of his priority list and he is looking hard at the New York Giants star and anyone involved with him after he accidentally shot himself in the leg at a nightclub over the weekend. He especially wants to know why hospital officials did not notify police that Burress had been shot, as required by law. Burress is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon after the shooting, punishable by 3 1/2 to 15 years in prison if convicted. The football star did not have a permit to have a gun in New York. • Federal prosecutors dropped four counts of lying to a grand jury against Barry Bonds, leaving him to face trial next year on 10 counts of making false statements plus an additional obstruction of justice charge. Bonds faces probation and/or roughly two years in prison—if convicted. His trial is scheduled to begin March 2. • O.J. Simpson was sentenced to serve a minimum of nine years in prison by a Nevada judge. The 61-year-old Simpson faces a maximum sentence of 33 years, but will be eligible for parole after serving nine. The former football star was convicted on 12 charges - including conspiracy and assault with a deadly weapon - in October for his participation in the robbery and kidnapping of two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in September 2007.

DID YOU KNOW

Michael Phelps and his coach, Bob Bowman, announced that their partnership is taking over the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center and the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, where Phelps began training at age 7. • Evander Holyfield is returning to the ring at age 46, setting his sights on becoming undisputed heavyweight champion again. Holyfield will fight 7-foot WBA champion Nikolai Valuev this month. A victory will make him the oldest man to claim a world heavyweight title and the first to win it five times. • Michael Phelps achieved another unprecedented feature, the first swimmer honored as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year. Phelps, who won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in August and became one of the most decorated Olympian ever with his 14 career victories. Olympians in other sports have earned the award before in its 54-year history, but never a swimmer. • New York Yankees All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez will play for the Dominican Republic in March’s World Baseball Classic, according to a report by Yahoo! Sports. According to the report, Rodriguez told close friend David Ortiz that he wants to play for the country. The Yankees superstar will participate in the Boston Red Sox slugger’s charity golf tournament in the Dominican city of Punta Cana where he is expected to make the announcement. • Barry Melrose will return to ESPN as a hockey analyst on Jan. 1. Melrose, who was fired as coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning last month, will appear on SportsCenter and ESPNEWS.

SPORTS BIZ

The Chicago White Sox are leaving Tucson, AZ after the Pima County Board of Supervisors accepted a $5 million buyout. The team agreed to pay the penalty fee to the county for breaking a lease that bound them to their minor league facility, Tucson Electric Park, through 2012. The supervisors’ 5-0 vote means the White Sox can move in spring 2009 to a new stadium and training facility in Glendale, AZ which the team will share with the Los Angeles Dodgers. • The Houston Comets, a franchise that won the first four WNBA championships, is disbanding. The league-owned team will be shut down because new owners couldn’t be found. Leslie Alexander, the original owner of the Comets who also owns the Houston Rockets, sold the team to furniture store owner Hilton Koch in 2007. The team moved from the much larger Toyota Center to Reliant Arena for the start of the 2008 season and attracted an average of 6,585 fans per game. The WNBA took over the fragile franchise from Koch in August. “You have to build on strength,” WNBA president Donna Orender told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “My outlook is to build on the fact that the league has great momentum and in Houston we didn’t have enough runway to get a deal done in time for the 2009 season. So right now we have to move on.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

WBC Lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao beat Oscar De La Hoya by a punishing and humiliating eighth-round technical knockout.

To the top